A Serpent's Tale
Chapter 319: Stories (3/4)

Chapter 319: Stories (3/4)

The moment they started to pilfer in through the front door, no, before they even came in, they could tell that something was off.

And it was made all the more clear the moment they saw what lay before me.

Three dead bodies, of three charming and endearing girls.

Slowly, more and more people filtered in and soon enough, they surrounded the scene. Nobody said a word except for those coming in still, wondering what was happening.

Eventually the entire reception room was full and people outside started to wonder what exactly was going on.

It didn’t take long for word to spread and soon enough the road outside was completely jammed with tons of Anthroids and Therioids.

This whole time I hadn’t moved a muscle, not since I laid the girls out on the floor. I didn’t know what to do, what I should do after that, so I just sat there, sulking.

I didn’t make any noise, I didn’t move, I did nothing. And neither did anyone else as they huddle around the three bodies.

For a while, nobody said or did anything. We all just silently stayed in place as we reminisced about the three girls when they were alive.

Their cheery personality made them extremely likable here, and everybody loved them.

Most people didn’t actually know this but the three of them were triplets of a single mother, their father figure having abandoned their mother upon hearing that she was pregnant with the triplets.

The worst part was the fact that they worked so hard to support their mother who had grown sick over the past couple of decades.

They never let their situation bring down their cheery and upbeat attitudes, always putting in a hundred and ten percent effort into their work.

Always bringing a smile to everyone’s faces and always bringing joy to the building whenever they came in.

And now they’re gone. Forever.

No more bright and cheery smiles. No more of them.

I don’t know how to go about this situation. I don’t know what I should say, what I should do in response to this.

I don’t even know who exactly did this, if it was just some random psychopath or if it was that cult.

’Well, at least I know that nobody will hold back against them. Maybe I should tell them all about this. No, I have to, it’s the least I could do after letting these poor girls down.’

Finally, after who knows how many hours of not doing anything, I stood up, towering over most of the people here.

"Everyone, allow me to explain myself..."

I told them about the reason the dungeon raid was really being delayed, about the cult and how there’s a high likelihood of them being the one’s responsible for this.

I did state that there may be a slight chance of it not being them, but that was slim. After that I stated that I would likely retire some time shortly after this because of my own inadequacy.

Everyone was shocked by my sudden retirement notice, but I explained that I was here when those people came in last night and killed the three bright girls, and that I might’ve been able to stop them, but didn’t.

I just couldn’t bring myself to be the Guild’s leader after this incident. And thankfully they could all understand that.

"But I won’t step down just yet. I’ve still got to find a replacement for myself. Not to mention we need to get even with those bastards."

"What about the dungeon?" One of the younger fledgling adventurers asked with a raised hand.

"Who do you think is behind that?" I responded rhetorically.

Immediately I saw everyone’s faces harden and become much sharper, with a determination sharper than a diamond.

I smiled lightly, as I knew that everyone here wouldn’t betray us, as they were all beyond furious at this cult for killing the triplets that everyone loved so much.

They stepped out of line with this one and now, any insiders they may have had within the guild have converted.

They will be exterminated. We will see to it that they are.

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The following day, everyone that would be involved in this operation was ready, alongside the royal forces from the capital.

Nobody was surprised as I had informed them about the reinforcements that would be joining us for the cult extermination.

Upon hearing the travesty that had happened the prior night regarding Vishyra, Zyshoraa and Rakzaa, the Duchess was understandably furious.

Everyone moved into action just an hour after that in two teams.

The one I was leading, which was made up of only adventurers, would be dealing with the Demon that had made nest in the dungeon.

And the strike team, which composed of more than just Platinum rank and up adventurers and the royal forces, but also the Silver and Gold ranked adventurers as they wanted to help in the extermination efforts.

But, I wouldn’t learn of what happened on their end until much later on.

Right now, I had to lead the charge into the dungeon.

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Delving into the dungeon with a part as large as our was fine, save for the fact that it took ages for us to descend even just a few floors.

We encountered no problems from the monsters, even as they mindlessly came at us in droves. They slowed us down a bit, but overall, never hindered our movement.

We got to the end of the fourth level, the second to last level of this dungeon in particular. Or at least last expansive level.

Every two floors there was a boss monster, as well as the final boss, which was after the fifth floor.

We set up camp for the night on two nearby islands, as this floor was a water floor with islands all over it.

Fortunately, unlike the second floor, they didn’t move about much if at all. At least not to anyone’s knowledge at least.

Still, camp was set up and we fell asleep for tonight, in preparation for tomorrow, which would likely be full of monster slaying after a boss monster.

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(Umbryal, Pyronis 50th, Present)

(Traytora POV)

I can’t believe any of what I’m hearing right now. It’s just... So sad. I can’t believe three innocent people died.

And apparently three of the brightest and most cheerful people I know of, and I never even got to meet them myself.

Not to mention the fact that Ba’arhim is retiring. I’ve barely been an adventurer for a few months and its all gone to shit and changing so quickly.

The only reason that he had stopped speaking right now was because we ran out of food. No thanks to me being extremely peckish for some reason and stuffing myself with half of what was served.

But because of that, we had to order a lot more. We actually ordered double what we got before, mainly because of me.

I sheepishly apologised for my sudden and unexpected gluttonousness, but everyone said it was fine.

I did insist on paying for it all though since I would likely eat most of it all anyways. Ba’arhim tried to dissuade me, but I convinced him that it was okay and that I was fine paying for everything.

He sighed and as we waited, I asked about the three girls that were killed, as I never got to know them.

"What?! You never met them?" Garrick screamed in shock, eyes bulging form their sockets as he stood leaning over the table towards me.

"No, I’ve only been an adventurer for a few months and the number of times I’ve been to the guild in that time can be counted on one hand." I said ashamedly.

"I suppose that makes sense... Why don’t I tell you about them then whilst we wait for all of the food to arrive?" Garrick offered.

I smiled lightly, which made him blush slightly I think and said, "I’d like that."